BY: DANIELLE BEISECKER

Interpreting shipwreck artifacts with visitors at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

I’ve always loved visiting museums to learn something new and unexpected. From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in a museum and I originally set my sights on working in collections. This led me to earn a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, anticipating a future of caring for and preserving artifacts for museum collection and use. 

However, during college I had the chance to dabble in outreach for the Mississippi River Valley Archaeology Center and it changed my outlook on museum work. I discovered that I preferred connecting with people and helping them engage with artifacts in meaningful ways much more than handling the artifacts behind-the-scenes. That experience shifted my focus from collections to education. I decided to pursue a Museum Studies master’s degree at IU Indianapolis to build the skills I’d need to be successful in that line of work. 

Alongside my courses, I have participated in various projects producing materials for museums and other institutions. This includes the Museum of Broken Relationships, Crown Hill Cemetery, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.I have also worked at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as a Gallery Interpreter and at the Indiana State Museum as an Engagement Intern. 

In my e-portfolio, you’ll find my mission statement, vision statement, and core values that I have developed during my time in graduate school. I have also highlighted key projects that have helped shape my professional identity and prepared me for the next steps in my museum career. 

After graduation, I will be moving from Indiana to Massachusetts for my new job as a Museum Educator at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield.

Full Portfolio Link: https://daniellebeisecker.wixsite.com/home. 

Danielle Beisecker (she/her) is a May 2025 graduate of the Museum Studies Program at Indiana University Indianapolis.